Name That Denomination!

[Cherie]

Hope this is a good place, if not: mods, please move.

I have a really great booklet called "Triumph of the Church" that lists virtually every Christian denomination known to man, their founder, date founded, and beliefs, particularly the ones different from Catholicism. (You can get it [url="http://store.casamaria.org/products/The-Triumph-of-the-Church.html"]here[/url] if you want; it's actually a really good resource!) But I can't find a particular denomination if I don't have their name.

I have a friend. She is what she calls, "Christian," although she must be part of a denomination, which seems to be pretty large because they have conventions all over the country and Canada a few times a year. The women don't cut their hair (besides trimming) and they always wear skirts (actually they always seem to wear their hair in a bun of some sort! I'm quite sure that's not necessary, but it made me think they're similar to Mennonites but without the prayer cap), they gather in homes or meeting places (like a hotel meeting room, for example) instead of any kind of church, the "ministers" can be both men or women, but they are assigned to an "area" two by two; they "follow the Bible" (fundamentalists, I'm assuming), and it seems they have a large stronghold in Canada. They also have missionaries who go to other countries, like Bangladesh, for example. I don't really have too much other information, but am trying to find out some more specifics of what they believe, like Baptism, etc.

Any guesses as to the identity of this denomination? It would be great for me to know, particularly for apologetics purposes!

[faithcecelia]

[quote name='CherieMadame' timestamp='1309471362' post='2261204']
Hope this is a good place, if not: mods, please move.

I have a really great booklet called "Triumph of the Church" that lists virtually every Christian denomination known to man, their founder, date founded, and beliefs, particularly the ones different from Catholicism. (You can get it [url="http://store.casamaria.org/products/The-Triumph-of-the-Church.html"]here[/url] if you want; it's actually a really good resource!) But I can't find a particular denomination if I don't have their name.

I have a friend. She is what she calls, "Christian," although she must be part of a denomination, which seems to be pretty large because they have conventions all over the country and Canada a few times a year. The women don't cut their hair (besides trimming) and they always wear skirts (actually they always seem to wear their hair in a bun of some sort! I'm quite sure that's not necessary, but it made me think they're similar to Mennonites but without the prayer cap), they gather in homes or meeting places (like a hotel meeting room, for example) instead of any kind of church, the "ministers" can be both men or women, but they are assigned to an "area" two by two; they "follow the Bible" (fundamentalists, I'm assuming), and it seems they have a large stronghold in Canada. They also have missionaries who go to other countries, like Bangladesh, for example. I don't really have too much other information, but am trying to find out some more specifics of what they believe, like Baptism, etc.

Any guesses as to the identity of this denomination? It would be great for me to know, particularly for apologetics purposes!
[/quote]



I wonder if it might be Plymouth Brethren?

[url="http://www.brethrenonline.org/faqs/Brethren.htm"]My link[/url]

[thessalonian]

Sounds like the Amish. They have a similar history and formed about the time the menonites did I believe. I know there are quite a few of them in Canada.

"The women don’t cut their hair and tie it back and they wear black bonnets. The men grow long beards but don’t have moustaches."

http://www.harvesthastings.ca/local/producers/amish-community

My favorite youtube video. God bless the Amish.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOfZLb33uCg

Edited June 30, 2011 by thessalonian

[faithcecelia]

[quote name='thessalonian' timestamp='1309473139' post='2261233']
Sounds like the Amish. They have a similar history and formed about the time the menonites did I believe. I know there are quite a few of them in Canada.

"The women don’t cut their hair and tie it back and they wear black bonnets. The men grow long beards but don’t have moustaches."

[url="http://www.harvesthastings.ca/local/producers/amish-community"]http://www.harvestha...amish-community[/url]

My favorite youtube video. God bless the Amish.

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOfZLb33uCg"]http://www.youtube.c...h?v=lOfZLb33uCg[/url]
[/quote]



I wondered about Amish but thought they always wore caps/bonnets? You may well be right though, I only know a little about them and thats mostly learnt from telly.

[thessalonian]

Oh, thought she said they did have the cap.

[Cherie]

No, sorry, I meant to say they DON'T wear a cap, but they look like that's all they're missing! (meaning the women usually wear simple, modest clothing and have their hair in a bun ... but I know they're not [i]forced[/i] to wear things like that, because my friend has worn some stylish, although very modest, clothing that Amish or Mennonite wouldn't ever wear)

Yes, they're not Amish [i]or[/i] Mennonite, but I wonder if they DO come from the same "Anabaptist" line. Thanks for the suggestions, y'all!

[homeschoolmom]

Hutterites?

[thessalonian]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' timestamp='1309475474' post='2261265']
Hutterites?
[/quote]

Ah there you go. I'll bet that is it.

[homeschoolmom]

I like this game.

[Basilisa Marie]

Could she be a member of the Society of Friends (a Quaker)? Or a branch? A friend of mine had a professor who was a member, and she always wore skirts and dresses, and kept her hair in a bun. Friends don't have specific dogma/doctrine that all must believe, many place great importance on the Bible, and their get-togethers are called "meetings" and usually take place at someone's house. They're also pretty into gender equality on a lot of levels. But you know, she might just be part of a rather large, conservative megachurch. They aren't really a denomination, per se, but can have very wide influence.

Yes, definitely find out what she believes about sacraments, that would help loads. Also see if she knows anything about how her community was founded.

[Lisa]

Apostolic Christian Church? The don't wear a cap, but do have a small lace covering that goes just over their bun.

But I'm not sure they have women ministers. Men and women sit on separate sides for church, so that doesn't seem like something they would do.

Edited July 1, 2011 by Lisa

[southern california guy]

I've heard them called "House churches". I know that's pretty vague. I'm curious to learn their roots as well.

[the171]

Pentecostals, apostolics?

[Cherie]

They aren't Hutterites. I don't think it is Plymouth Brethren, although reading the description at first, I thought that might be it, but this is why I don't think they are: I've been to a service long ago, and there is no kind of "breaking bread" at all - it was simply some songs sung from a hymn book (not sure which one) and then one of the "ministers" will give a talk. Then some more hymns, then the other minister (since they go two by two) will give a talk. Then some more hymns and it's over. I don't think men and women were separate; it seemed they sat with their families.

I'm also quite sure it's not a conservative mega church - they're definitely a distinct denomination, and they have distinct beliefs which would separate them from most other denominations, even conservative ones (like not cutting hair), but I'm assuming they don't like to make it known which they are because of 1 Cor 1:12.

Thanks for the suggestions, y'all! I really appreciate it. I'll let you know if I find out more info! You guys are GREAT!

[krissylou]

[quote name='CherieMadame' timestamp='1309519845' post='2261496']
They aren't Hutterites. I don't think it is Plymouth Brethren, although reading the description at first, I thought that might be it, but this is why I don't think they are: I've been to a service long ago, and there is no kind of "breaking bread" at all - it was simply some songs sung from a hymn book (not sure which one) and then one of the "ministers" will give a talk. Then some more hymns, then the other minister (since they go two by two) will give a talk. Then some more hymns and it's over. I don't think men and women were separate; it seemed they sat with their families.

I'm also quite sure it's not a conservative mega church - they're definitely a distinct denomination, and they have distinct beliefs which would separate them from most other denominations, even conservative ones (like not cutting hair), but I'm assuming they don't like to make it known which they are because of 1 Cor 1:12.

Thanks for the suggestions, y'all! I really appreciate it. I'll let you know if I find out more info! You guys are GREAT!
[/quote]

The lack of any "breaking of bread" would make me think Quaker, but this sounds WAAAAAY too structured for a Quaker meeting, even of the programmed variety.

I'm guessing something in the Anabaptist line. Although maybe in the conservative Holiness/Wesleyan tradition. Do they talk about a "second blessing"? Then they're definitely some form of Holiness.